Iron Lung. Warm Heart.

Small Details. Big Impact.

Cool Hats. Same Passion.

Help Preserve Our History

Welcome to the Hennepin Medical History Center!

The Hennepin Medical History Center at the Hennepin County Medical Center is a premier medical history museum celebrating the history of medicine and medical education in Minneapolis. The collection is like no other in the Twin Cities. The History Center is comprised of archives, rare books, artifacts and images of the history of the Hennepin County Medical Center and Metropolitan Medical Center, and their predecessors.

New exhibit on display!

The Hennpepin Medical History Center presents an exhibit based on a calendar of events and firsts. This exhibit will be on display in the Hennepin County Government Center, Hennepin Gallery, beginning March 7 through May 26, 2016.

The exhibit spotlights the history of the parent hospitals that make up the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC): City Hospital, Minneapolis General Hospital, St. Andrew Hospital, St. Barnabas Hospital, The Swedish Hospital and Metropolitan Medical Center.

The display features historical text, pictures and objects, and covers almost 50 openings or firsts in these hospitals. Specific highlights include the Hyperbaric Chamber, the establishment of St. Barnabas and City Hospital, kidney transplant history, Sister Kenny’s history of treatment for polio victims, the first nurse-midwife unit, and emergency medical service development.

HCMC History Collection

HCMC History Collection is a lively look at the field of health care, general patient care, and medical procedures at the Hennepin County Medical Center. Learn More

The Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) History Collection

The Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) History Collection, established in 1974, is dedicated to providing public access as well as preserving and collecting materials and artifacts that document the history of the MMC. Learn More

Educational History

There were many types of education programs at the hospitals in Minneapolis. Nursing schools were often unique to the specific hospital. Learn More